Pharmacy Q&A
A day in the life of pharmacist, Darian Velayadum, Medirite Umgeni Road
Get to know your friendly MediRite pharmacist!
Q: What advice can you give to any aspiring pharmacist?
A: A: "I love helping people," and "pharmacy has always been my passion" is what I said to myself when considering the profession of a pharmacist. I believe many people confuse their purpose for a passion. It took quite a long time into my professional life to realise that I did most of the things because I found a purpose, not because of a passion. When purpose meets success, it can manifest itself as passion. So, that will be my ultimate advice. Ensure the path you choose is one that will bring you purpose and one that will allow you to positively impact others.
Q: What makes your job worthwhile?
A: A: Knowing that you left a smile on your patient's face and ultimately changed the course of their health in a positive light is what drives my passion to want to do more in this job and exceed expectations.
Q: April is Health Awareness Month – please give us 3 essential everyday health tips
- Start your day with a glass of water. This will boost digestion and flush out toxins. Supplement with some MediRite effervescent Vitamin C in the morning to stimulate your immunity.
- Multivitamins contain vitamins and minerals that are essential to your health. No matter how healthy you eat or what diet you follow, it can be difficult for your body to get all the nutrients it needs from food. The MediRite Multivitamin contains A-Z and will supplement all deficiencies.
- We often tend to focus on what we’re lacking in life instead of focusing on the things that we do have. Instead of keeping track of your deficits, focus on the things that go well in your life. Remember, a healthy life starts with a healthy mind.
Q: What’s your best MediRite product for staying healthy?
A: It is difficult to choose just one product. However, one product that has recently impacted my life would be the MediRite HAIR, SKIN AND NAILS. It contains antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E. These also have Coenzyme Q10, Manganese, Selenium, as well as fatty acids like fish oil and flaxseed oil. These helped with hair growth, healthy skin and nails.
Q: What do most patients NOT know about medication?
A: Most patients do not know the difference between the original drug versus the generic. Generic medicines have the same active ingredient as brand-name medicines and work in the same way, but may look different and contain different non-active ingredients. Generic alternatives are often cheaper than brand-name medicines.
Q: What one tip can you give to parents to ensure kids stay healthy?
A: Start your child on an immune booster that contains Zinc. Zinc supports several functions in the human body. As well as supporting the immune system, it enables the body to make proteins and DNA, contributes to wound healing and plays a role in childhood growth and development.
Q: Have any patient experiences left a lasting impact on you as a pharmacist?
A: There have been multiple encounters that have left a lasting impact on my heart. I have been fortunate to work in many branches in KZN. This has allowed me to gain unmatched experience and skills and meet different patients. One encounter that has impacted me would be when I was able to use my experience with my dad's health to change the course of a patient's health in a positive way. I was able to advise, treat and counsel my patient the way I wish my dad had been. The result of this was shown in my patient's health and gratitude.